Right to Build' scheme boosts tradesmen opportunities

A new 'Right to Build' scheme has been unveiled by Chancellor George Osborne, with the aims of helping thousands of people get onto the property ladder.

Under the new plans, which were included in the housing section of the 2014 Budget, local councils will be required to provide up to 10,000 serviced self-build sites across the country to people keen to construct their own homes.

The sites will already have sewage, water and power supplies in situ, which will mean it is easier for construction to get underway quickly. Owners will be looking for tradesmen including electricians and plumbers to help finish of their homes, creating a range of opportunities across the country.

An extra 200,000 homes could be built by 2020 as a result of the plans, a move which is essential to help house the UK's growing population, explained Mr Osborne. “House building is up 23 per cent', he said. “But that’s not enough. That’s why we’re making further reforms to our planning system and offering half a billion pounds of finance to small house building firms.

“It’s why we’re signing city deals across the country to get more built – with a new funding deal this week for Cambridge. And it’s why we’re giving people a new Right to Build their own homes and providing